Evanston Obituary: Guntis M. Aulis, 86

The following obituary is courtesy of Donnellan Family Funeral Services.

Guntis M. Aulis, “Gus”, age 86 of Evanston, passed Saturday February 28, 2015 at Evanston Hospital. Gus was born on the family farm “Irbes” in Djukste, Latvia on April 10, 1928, the son of Karlis and Lidija (nee Krauze). Along with his mother and sister Laima, they fled Latvia at the beginning of 1945 to escape Soviet oppression, having experienced firsthand the horrors of war and leaving behind their father, a Latvian soldier who was missing in action, their farm and extended family. After the war, the family resided in several Displaced Persons camps under U.S. control until 1950 when they immigrated to the United States, settling in Des Moines, Iowa, where he met his lifelong partner, wife Gaida (nee Dimza), to whom he was married for 63 years. Gus served honorably in the U.S. Army from 1951 to 1953 during the Korean War, where, stationed in Germany, he eavesdropped on Soviet radio communications, translating from Russian to English. Upon his honorable discharge, he went to technical school in the evenings, ultimately learning his life employment skills, tool and die manufacturing and design. The family, which by this time included their only child, Erwin, moved to Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin in 1963, where Gus and Gaida resided until moving to Evanston in 2009 to be closer to family. While in the Milwaukee area, Gus co-founded two successful businesses – A&O Die Design, Inc. and Gromax Precision Die & Mfg., Inc. - with partners Ron Okonek and Max Limmer, Ron being a first generation Polish-American and Max, a German immigrant. Gus was very active in the Milwaukee Latvian community, serving as the long-time Treasurer for the Milwaukee Latvian Ev. Lutheran Church, singing in two choirs, and performing at numerous societal functions as part of two musical groups he co-founded, Tris Dunduri and Akords. Not only did Gus play eight musical instruments, he spoke four languages, built three of the homes his family resided in, and had a good run as the Milwaukee “novus” Latvian cue game champion multiple times. He was a proud veteran, displaying his Korean War military license plate and contributing to several veterans organizations. Gus was grateful for both his Latvian heritage and U. S. citizenship. He lived a life in full. In addition to his wife, sister and son, Gus is survived by his daughter-in-law Nancy (nee Campbell), grandchildren Caroline, Katherine and Gus, nieces Sandy Brill (Gary), Linda Apinis (Elmars), and Ingrida Veidis (Skip), and nephews Andris Zmuidins (Nora), Roberts Zmuidins and Janis Veidis (Mara), and numerous cousins and their children in Latvia, as well as grandnieces and grandnephews in the United States.

Visitation Saturday, March 7, 2015, 10:00 a.m. until time of the Funeral Service 11:00 a.m. at Donnellan Family Funeral Home, 10045 Skokie Boulevard at Old Orchard Road, Skokie, IL 60077 with reception immediately following at Westmoreland Country Club, 2601 Old Glenview Road, Wilmette, IL 60091.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Gus’ memory to the Latvian Holy Trinity Church, 1853 N. 75th Street, Milwaukee, WI 53213.

Info: www.donnellanfuneral.com or 847-675-1990.

VISITATION

Saturday March 7, 2015, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM at Donnellan Family Funeral Services, 10045 Skokie Boulevard, Skokie, Illinois 60077
Click for Map and Directions

FUNERAL SERVICE

Saturday March 7, 2015, 11:00 AM at Donnellan Family Funeral Services, 10045 Skokie Boulevard, Skokie, Illinois 60077
Click for Map and Directions